Whether you’re a professional locksmith or just trying your hand at lock picking as a hobby, having the right tools is crucial. While you can start with a small lockpick set, more experienced lock pickers should consider investing in a specialized pocket lock pick kit. These smaller sets are designed to be easily carried and can come in handy when you need to get into a tight space without having a full set of picks.

Those just starting out in lockpick sets avoid getting caught up in the desire to purchase every kind of pick ever made. Swapping between 17 different picks will only confuse you and slow down your progress – it’s far better to stick with a few high-quality basic standard picks from an established brand like Southord, Sparrows, HPC or Peterson.

Becoming a Locksmith Pro: Essential Professional Lock Pick Sets and Skills

A good starter set should include a standard short hook, a gem and a saw or snake rake. These are the picks that will get you through 95% of pin tumbler locks (excluding dimples). If possible, get a set that also includes a couple of tension tools.

While the standard short hook is the most versatile pick in a beginner’s arsenal, the gem is an excellent choice for handling more complex locks that are heavy-ish warded or have radical bitting. The saw rake can be useful for opening some slammed locks that are hard to open with the standard hook. It has a wide offset that lets it pivot and curve around pin stacks with ease while also lifting tucked pins in the back of the lock.